African dance

Village of Peace dances for water

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

For 17 years, Rochelle Norwood has nurtured a parallel life in Ghana. She fi rst discovered the Africana Dance Ensemble while studying abroad. Captivated by the energy of traditional African drumming and dance, she regularly introduced other foreign students at the University of Ghana to the troupe. Together they danced, drummed and made other art, beading and painting, sewing and sculpting.

Norwood eventually performed for the president of Ghana while traveling with the Africana Dance Ensemble to ceremonies, weddings and funerals. She soon joined their common dream of founding a village dedicated to cultural exchange.

“Th is Village of Peace, I could never shake it out of my mind,” Norwood told Th e Sopris Sun. “I couldn’t live anymore without trying.”

When she moved to Carbondale in 2007, “I instantly made connections for the Village of Peace.” Th en, fi ve years ago, she purchased three acres along the Volta River for the Africana Village of Peace Project. Th e land’s caretaker, Aziz Mohammed, assures the village is growing and thriving.

With help from our local Rebekah’s Lodge, they acquired a canoe, water pump, water tower and polytank, and built a mud hut that sleeps 16. Norwood describes the village as “[a place] where the human can live off the land, drum, dance and create.” Th ere, “living the simple life, yet always giving back to neighbors, towns, villages and the world,” she is constantly reminded that “the more we give, the more we receive.”

She continues to fi nd ways of entwining her love for the Valley, where she co-owns and operates the Redstone General Store, with her community in Ghana. On Sunday, May 15, Norwood will bring a taste of the Africana Village of Peace Project to Carbondale, by live streaming a traditional Ghanian dance class at Th e Launchpad. A similar session was hosted in April, and both are in partnership with Aspen Dance Connection.

Th is time, Norwood will join from Ghana, where she is delivering a $12,000 water fi lter to the village. Previously, the village boiled drinking water to purify it. Donations made at the class, or at the Redstone General Store, will help to pay for the fi lter.

Th en, throughout the upcoming school year, the Village of Peace aims to partner with Aspen Dance Connection to bring Ghanian dance classes to schools while collecting donations. Th ey’re calling the project “Dancing for Water.” Th anks to a budding relationship with the nonprofi t Potters for Peace, the Village of Peace is exploring the feasibility of building a factory for producing ceramic water fi lters to benefi t surrounding villages. Norwood described the initiative as a direct exchange, “fresh water for the power of dance and culture.”

Aspen Dance Connection Executive Director Fran Page described the partnership as getting back to the nonprofi t’s roots. “Our mission for Aspen Dance Connection has always been to present original and world dance,” she said. “I’ve known Rochelle for a long time, she came to me 12 years ago and talked me into bringing Baobao [Foundation] here.” Baobao Foundation, based in Boulder, hosts an annual West African dance festival.

Page is enthusiastic about bringing African dance back into the schools, from Aspen to Parachute. “Now, this idea of being able to do a Zoom class, reaching around the world like this, the other side of the world is real and available to them.”

She continued, “I love African Dance because physically and mentally it’s very integrative. It’s really good for the whole body-mind situation.”

Norwood agreed, “Th e power of African dance is its enlivening somato fl ow, reminding the brain and body they’re connected and fl owing … connected to spirit and the earth, and community, through joy.”

Join the class at Th e Launchpad on May 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. You can donate there or via Venmo (@rochelle-norwood). All donations go directly to the Village of Peace Project, building more huts for visitors, planting food crops (including papaya, plantain, banana, cassava and more), purifying water and teaching drumming and dancing in schools.

Learn more directly from

Norwood, Mohammed and Page by tuning in for Everything Under Th e Sun on KDNK this

Th ursday, May 12, at 4 p.m.

For 17 years, Rochelle Norwood has deepened her connections with the Africana Dance Ensemble in Ghana. Together, they founded the Africana Village of Peace Project to keep West African traditions alive while promoting cultural exchange. Courtesy photo

The Africana Village of Peace Project often teaches African dance in Ghanaian schools. This Sunday, May 15, they will brings those lessons to Carbondale via a live stream at The Launchpad. Courtesy photo

EARS PRESENTS THE TWENTY-EIGHTH — ANNUAL —

• 30Y S

CELEBRATIN G N

RIDE PASSFOR THEPASS

SATURDAY MAY 21 10am

ATION

D N

A BENEFIT

F O R T H E INDEPENDENCEPASS FO U 2022

In-Person at Third Street Center in Carbondale or via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/97893023273 Meeting ID: 978 9302 3273 - Passcode: chalice

Scan QR Code to Join via Zoom and enter “chalice” truu.org

The Sopris Sun wishes a very happy 75th birthday to Doctor Dandelion himself (Doc Philip). A charter member of the town's Environmental Board and avid brewer of dandelion beer, Doc is credited with turning the notorious "weed" into Carbondale's celebrated town flower. His birthday coincides with Dandelion Day this year, so wish him a good one! Photo of Doc at the first Dandelion Day by B. Sibley Loughran

FREE LEGAL CLINIC

Volunteer attorneys provide free legal advice concerning civil matters. Sign up for a 15 minute phone appointment between 2 and 5 p.m. by calling 970-927-4211 or emailing info@basaltlibrary.org

EARTH DAY IN MAY

Join the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies at Hallam Lake in Aspen for willow planting from 4 to 7 p.m. Register at www.aspennature.org

HAPPY HOUR DANCE

Katrina Toews teaches a drop-in dance class at The Launchpad from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

MEDICAL COSTS

Glenwood Library hosts reporter Marshall Allen, who has investigated the healthcare industry for 15 years, presenting about “insidious practices used to prey on working Americans, including price gouging, inaccurate billing and insurance denials.” The free presentation begins at 7 p.m. and will also be live streamed. More info at www.gcpld.org/first-bill

HIGH COUNTRY SINFONIA

Th e High Country Sinfonia spring concert series performs at Th e Arts Campus at Willits on May 12 at 7 p.m., at the Old Th ompson Barn in River Valley Ranch on May 14 at 7 p.m. and at the Aspen Chapel on May 15 at 2 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of up to $20. FRIDAY, MAY 13

CRMS PLANT SALE

The annual plant sale at Colorado Rocky Mountain School opens this Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and continues on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A full list of plants available is at www.crms.org/plantsale

FARM TO TABLE DINNER

Kick off your Dandelion Day celebration with a night of mingling and local food prepared by L’Orto at Craft Coffee beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets at www.https://bit.ly/DandyDinner

TEA CEREMONY

All ages are welcome to join Fudō-an Tea & Wellness for a Japanese tea ceremony at the Carbondale Library at 5:30 p.m. The event is free but space is limited. Register by calling the library at 970-963-2889.

PRESCHOOL BENEFIT

Blue Lake Preschool invites folks to its Sip, Savor and Support fundraising event at the Orchard in Carbondale from 6 to 10 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Blue Lake and Little Blue preschools. Tickets and info at www.bluelakepreschool.org

SOUND HEALING

Dr. Zachary Cashin leads a sound healing journey at True Nature from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“The Duke” shows at the Crystal Theatre at 7:30 p.m. through Monday, except at 5 p.m. and with captions on Sunday. “The Rose Maker” also shows on Saturday with subtitles at 5:30 p.m.

COHENHOVEN

Indie artist Joen Van Horne, known as Covenhoven, performs at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

SATURDAY, MAY 14

WORK DAY

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers gets to work at Rifle Gap State Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register, visit www.rfov.org

ART, HEALING & HOPE

Sheri Gaynor hosts an in-person and virtual workshop at The Art Base from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Details at www.theartbase.org

DANDELION DAY

Carbondale’s annual spring festival begins with the Parade of Species at 10 a.m., marching from outside KDNK on 2nd Street to Sopris Park where artisans will sell sustainably produced clothing, tinctures, soaps, jewelry and more. As always, there will be plant starts, live music and a beer tent hosted by KDNK from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UPCYCLING!

Claire Wright of Cosecha Textiles returns to Basalt Library from noon to 4 p.m. with sewing machines and other supplies to turn used clothes into something brand new. Space is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

BIKE WEEK

Celebrate National Bike to Work Week with bicycle enthusiasts at the Carbondale Library from 1 to 2 p.m. Then, on Sunday, mechanics will help you tune up your ride from 1 to 5 p.m., also at the library.

CAPTAIN POW

TACAW presents the original kids’ show “Captain Pow!” about a hero who protects the environment against their nemesis Pollutron, at Lions Park in Basalt at 5 p.m. SUNDAY, MAY 15

TRAILWORK

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers hosts a work day at the Storm King Fire Memorial Trail from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, visit www.rfov.org

YOGA FOR MOMS

True Nature offers a retreat for pregnant and postpartum mamas, as well as those contemplating motherhood, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets at www.truenaturehealingarts.com

AFRICANA DANCE

Join the Africana Village of Peace Project in Ghana for a traditional dance class live streamed at The Launchpad from 10 a.m. to noon. No experience or registration required.

DRUG TALK

Basalt Library hosts Cath and Ashley Adams for an honest conversation about Substance Use Disorder “in the Age of Fentanyl” from 3 to 4 p.m.

ECSTATIC DANCE

Join Alya Howe and DJ Mama Ale for an ecstatic dance at 13 Moons Ranch from 6 to 8 p.m. Questions? Email alyahowe@ me.com or call 970-309-2582.

MONDAY, MAY 16

CLAY EXHIBIT DEADLINE

Applications are due by 5 p.m. for the Carbondale Clay National XVI exhibit juried by Diane Kenney. This year’s theme is “Say It With Clay.” Details at www.carbondaleclay.org TUESDAY, MAY 17

MORNING BIRDING

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies leads birding at Rock Bottom Ranch from 7 to 10 a.m. Register at www.aspennature.org

WINDOWS FILING

Learn how to best organize digital files on a Windows device at the Basalt Library from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Visit www.basaltlibrary. org for more info or to register.

C-LINE BUILD

Work continues on the new C-Line Trail on Red Hill. Join Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers from 4 to 8 p.m. by registering at www.rfov.org WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

THE LAST TROPIC GLACIERS

Dr. Heïdi Sevestre lectures about her ongoing project, “The Last Tropic Glaciers,” at Hallam Lake starting at 6 p.m. For those who cannot attend in-person, a Zoom link is available, along with more info, at www.agci.org

FLASHBACK

The Carbondale Historical Society screens “Flashback,” a 1990 comedy partly filmed in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Theatre. Afterward, the historical society will treat anyone presenting a ticket stub to a free beer at Carbondale Beer Works where people will share memories related to the film’s production.

BOOK-SIGNING

The Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance presents an author talk and book-signing with Paul Andersen, author of “The Town that Said ‘Hell, No!’ Crested Butte Fights a Mine to Save Its Soul.” The presentation begins at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Colorado. THURSDAY, MAY 19

REAL TIME SCIENCE

Basalt Library hosts Sarah R. Johnson of Wild Rose Education, sharing about her recent trip to collect weather data on the Arctic Ocean, at 5:30 p.m. Participants will receive a small wooden boat to be decorated and deployed for tracking in the Arctic Ocean using satellites. To register, visit www.bit.ly/ArcticEducation

FIRE PREPAREDNESS

The Carbondale Fire Department (301 Meadowood Drive) hosts a bilingual meeting at 6:30 p.m. to share tips for wildfire preparedness. FRIDAY, MAY 20

LIBRARY BIRDS

Roaring Fork Audubon leads a morning bird walk at the Basalt Library from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

CRMS VISITOR DAY

Colorado Rocky Mountain School invites current seventh grade students for a tour of its campus from 9 to 11 a.m. For more info or to register, visit www.crms.org

MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY

Valle Musico performs at the Basalt Library from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more info or to register, visit www.basaltlibrary.org

ZOË KEATING

Composer Zoë Keating performs at TACAW at 8 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit www.tacaw.org SATURDAY, MAY 21

BIRDWATCHING

In celebration of Public Lands Day, Colorado Wild Public Lands, English in Action and Roaring Fork Audubon invite you to bilingual guided birdwatching at Glassier Open Space near El Jebel from 7 to 11 a.m. To RSVP, email coloradowildpubliclands@gmail.com

TODD SNIDER

Todd Snider performs at TACAW at 8 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit www.tacaw.org SUNDAY, MAY 22

PLANT SALE

True Nature hosts Seed Peace for a plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a seed talk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SPRINGFEST

Aspen Valley Land Trust invites people to celebrate spring and conservation at the Strang Ranch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info is available at www.avlt.org

REAL TIME SCIENCE

Sarah R. Johnson of Wild Rose Education, presents about her recent trip to collect weather data on the Arctic Ocean, at the Carbondale Library at 1 p.m. and Glenwood Springs Library at 4 p.m. Participants will receive a small wooden boat to be decorated and deployed for tracking in the Arctic Ocean using satellites. To register, visit www.bit.ly/ArcticEducation

MONDAY, MAY 23

AUTHUR TALK

Paul Anderson presents his new book “The Town that said Hell No!” which chronicles the people of Crested Butte pushing back against AMAX, a mining project, in the ‘70s at the Basalt Library, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more info or to register, visit www.basaltlibrary.org TUESDAY, MAY 24

ASPEN WORDS

Jenn Shapland, author of “My Autobiography of Carson McCullers” and an Aspen Words writer in residence, presents at The Arts Campus at Willits at 5:30 p.m. Registration at www.aspenwords.org

CREATIONS & LIBATIONS

AspenOUT and The Art Base host the LBGTQIA+ community and allies for an evening of art and socializing beginning at 6 p.m. Register at www.theartbase.org

ONGOING

AA

The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers “Hole in the Donut AA,” Monday through Saturday, at 6:45 a.m. plus “Daily Reprieve” at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Find a full schedule at www.meetingplacecarbondale.org

COMMUNITY CHOIR

The Carbondale Community Choir meets at Sopris Park on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

STORYTIME

Young ones and their parents are invited to storytime at the Glenwood Springs Library on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org

STORYTIME AT HOME

Every first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Garfield County Libraries posts a storytime video to its Youtube page; just search Garfield County Libraries on YouTube.

EXPLORERS CLUB

School-age children are invited to free after-school activities with the Aspen Science Center at the Glenwood Springs Library on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.

ASK A LAWYER

Alpine Legal Services offers a hotline clinic on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 970368-2246 and visit alpinelegalservices.org for the schedule of dates by legal topic.

STORYTIME

Children and their parents are invited to storytime at the Carbondale Library on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is at www.gcpld.org

UNDER THE SUN

Join Sopris Sun correspondents and guests for Everything Under The Sun, airing every Thursday on KDNK at 4 p.m.

GROUP RUN

Independence Run and Hike leads a weekly group run on Thursdays departing from the store’s new location at 6 p.m.

KARAOKE THURSDAYS

The Black Nugget offers karaoke on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers a 12-step meeting at 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

KUNDALINI YOGA CLASS

The Sattvic Health Temple at Mana Foods now offers a Kundalini Yoga class on Fridays from 8 to 9 a.m.

HEROIN ANONYMOUS

The Meeting Place in Carbondale (981 Cowen Drive) offers a 12-step meeting at 4 p.m. on Sundays. THE SOPRIS SUN • Your weekly community connector • May 12 - May 18, 2022 • 11

Community Wildfire Prevention Meeting

WILDFIRE SEASON IS COMING Meet with wildfire professionals from

Carbondale Fire and learn and what you can do to protect yourself and your home Thursday, May 19, 2022 • 6:30 p.m. 301 Meadowood Drive

Carbondale Fire Headquarters Building